ValidX assesses the adhesion strength of coatings to surfaces, ensuring that they adhere securely and provide optimal protection against corrosion, weathering, and other environmental factors.

We use precision instruments to measure the thickness of coatings, ensuring that they meet specified thickness requirements. Proper thickness is crucial for achieving the desired protective properties.

Our inspectors conduct detailed visual examinations of coated surfaces to identify any defects, irregularities, or imperfections. This includes assessments of colour consistency, surface finish, and overall coating appearance.

Corrosion and Weathering Resistance: ValidX evaluates the resistance of coatings to corrosion and weathering. This includes exposure assessments to simulate environmental conditions and verify the long-term performance of coatings.

Upon completion of the coating inspection, ValidX provides detailed reports that include:

• Adhesion strength analysis
• Thickness measurement results
• Visual inspection findings
• Recommendations for corrective actions or maintenance
• Compliance status with industry standards

Before abrasive blasting begins, VALIDX can assess the water-soluble ionic contamination of blast-cleaning abrasives.

Testing may be performed in accordance with ASTM D4940 and applicable project requirements, providing a conductivity measurement of the abrasive extract.

Contaminated abrasive media can introduce soluble salts onto a newly prepared steel surface and contribute to premature coating deterioration. Testing the abrasive before use therefore provides an important first quality-control point in the surface preparation process.

Typical reference: ASTM D4940 / ISO 11127-6

Following abrasive blasting and prior to primer or coating application, VALIDX performs soluble salt contamination testing on prepared steel surfaces.

The inspection may be carried out in accordance with ISO 8502-6 (extraction of soluble contaminants) and ISO 8502-9 (field conductometric determination of water-soluble salts).

Using the Bresle / PosiPatch principle, a defined area of the prepared surface is tested and the extracted solution is analysed for conductivity. The inspection provides conductivity (µS/cm) and corresponding surface density of soluble salts (mg/m² or µg/cm²), with traceable recording of test data.

This inspection is particularly important prior to coating application, as excessive soluble salt contamination can contribute to osmotic blistering, under-film corrosion, coating delamination and premature coating failure.

Typical references: ISO 8502-6 / ISO 8502-9

VALIDX performs visual assessment of abrasive blast-cleaned steel surfaces prior to coating application.

The inspection evaluates the prepared surface for visible rust, mill scale, previous coating residues, contamination and other conditions that may affect the performance of the specified coating system.

Surface cleanliness may be assessed against the specified preparation grade and approved photographic reference standards, including ISO 8501-1 or SSPC visual standards where required by the Project Specification.

The inspection can be integrated into an agreed Hold Point prior to coating application, ensuring that coating does not proceed until the prepared surface has been reviewed and released.

Visual preparation grade verification

The surface profile generated by abrasive blasting has a direct influence on coating adhesion and coating system performance.

VALIDX performs digital surface profile depth measurements on abrasive blast-cleaned steel, allowing the measured peak-to-valley profile to be compared with the coating manufacturer's requirements and Project Specification.

Measurements may be performed in accordance with applicable methods such as ASTM D4417 Method B, depending on the agreed inspection specification.

An appropriate surface profile helps ensure adequate mechanical anchoring of the coating while avoiding excessive roughness that may result in insufficient coating coverage over profile peaks.

Digital surface profile measurement

After abrasive blasting, residual dust on the prepared surface can interfere with coating adhesion and lead to localized coating defects.

VALIDX performs Dust Tape Testing in accordance with ISO 8502-3, assessing both dust quantity and dust particle size.

The test can be used as a pass/fail inspection or as a permanent documented record of the surface condition prior to painting.

Typical reference: ISO 8502-3

Environmental conditions are a critical parameter before and during coating application.

VALIDX can measure and document air temperature, steel/surface temperature, relative humidity, dew point temperature and the difference between surface temperature and dew point (ΔT).

These measurements allow the inspector to verify whether environmental conditions are suitable for coating application in accordance with the coating manufacturer's Product Data Sheet, Project Specification and approved coating procedure.

Environmental monitoring may be performed before coating begins and repeated throughout the application period where required.

Air T • Steel T • RH • Dew Point • ΔT

During coating application, VALIDX can perform Wet Film Thickness (WFT) measurements to assess whether the applied coating thickness is consistent with the target required to achieve the specified final Dry Film Thickness.

WFT inspection provides immediate feedback during application, allowing adjustments to be made before the coating has cured.

Measurements may be performed using recognised methods such as ISO 2808 and ASTM D4414, where applicable.

Typical references: ISO 2808 / ASTM D4414

Following coating application and the required curing period, VALIDX performs Dry Film Thickness measurements using calibrated electronic coating-thickness instrumentation.

DFT readings are assessed against the specified coating system, nominal dry film thickness, minimum/maximum permitted values and the applicable Project Specification.

Depending on project requirements, inspection may be performed with reference to ISO 19840, ISO 2808, SSPC-PA 2 and ASTM D7091.

The inspection system supports statistical evaluation of readings and traceable electronic recording of measurement data.

Typical references: ISO 19840 / ISO 2808 / SSPC-PA 2 / ASTM D7091

VALIDX can provide independent inspection support during the actual coating application process.

Depending on the Project Specification and approved ITP, inspection activities may include verification of coating product and batch identification, review of coating manufacturer's technical data, verification of environmental conditions, application observations, Wet Film Thickness measurements, verification of specified curing / overcoating requirements, identification of visible application defects and monitoring of agreed Witness and Hold Points.

This allows coating quality to be monitored not only after completion, but throughout the application process.

Independent monitoring during coating application

Following completion and curing of the protective coating system, VALIDX performs a detailed visual examination of the coated surfaces.

The inspection can identify and document visible coating defects and irregularities such as runs and sags, incomplete or uneven coverage, blistering, cracking, flaking or peeling, contamination, mechanical damage, areas requiring repair or touch-up and visible surface finish irregularities.

Visual findings can be correlated with DFT measurements and other inspection results to provide a consolidated assessment of the completed coating work.

Defect identification • Repair / touch-up verification

Coating inspection activities can be integrated directly into the project's approved Inspection & Test Plan (ITP).

VALIDX can attend defined Hold Points (HP), Witness Points (WP) and Surveillance Points at the relevant stages of surface preparation and coating application.

A typical sequence may include: Abrasive approval → Blasting → Surface cleanliness → Surface profile → Dust → Soluble salts → Environmental conditions → Release for coating → Coating application → WFT → Curing → DFT → Final visual inspection → Final release.

This approach provides structured third-party QA/QC control throughout the coating process and helps prevent subsequent activities from proceeding before the applicable inspection requirements have been satisfied.

ITP integration • HP / WP / Surveillance

• Abrasive media soluble salt / conductivity testing
• Review of relevant coating and surface-preparation requirements

• Visual surface cleanliness
• Surface profile / roughness
• Dust contamination
• Soluble salt contamination
• Air / steel temperature, RH, dew point & ΔT
• Release / Hold Point verification

• Environmental conditions
• Coating material / batch verification
• Application observations
• Wet Film Thickness
• ITP Witness / Hold Points

• Final visual inspection
• Dry Film Thickness
• Identification of coating defects
• Repair / touch-up verification
• Final inspection documentation and release, where applicable

• Project and inspection identification
• Inspection date and location
• Component / area / inspection lot identification
• Applicable specification and acceptance criteria
• Test-point identification
• Abrasive media conductivity results
• Soluble salt conductivity and surface-density results
• Surface cleanliness observations
• Surface profile measurements
• Dust contamination classification
• Environmental-condition measurements
• Wet Film Thickness results
• Dry Film Thickness results
• Visual coating findings
• Equipment identification
• Calibration / verification traceability
• Photographic evidence
• PASS / FAIL status
• Non-conformities and re-test results, where applicable
• Corrective-action / repair verification
• Final inspection conclusion

Digital inspection instruments allow measured data to be stored, time-stamped and transferred for subsequent reporting and record retention.